Ps. 61-63 [The Message]

Prayer can get into a warfare mode. Our spiritual weapons make war in the heavenlies. A recurring concept in the Psalms is the lifting of hands for prayer and praise. The Hebrew words Towdah and Yadah both mean lifting the hands. David makes reference also that God made his arms so that they could break a bow of steel. (I could go on and on)

Sometimes in intercessory prayer, we come against strongholds of the enemy. Our physical gestures become more violent and stirred up. (Do this in the secret place) So, if you lift your hands in prayer and enter into spiritual combat, go ahead and violently wave those arms. You may just be pulling down big strongholds in the spirit realm.

Ps. 58-60 [The Message]

This was David’s conclusion; Human help is worthless. He found out when he went into battle. Men have tanks and missiles and machine guns etc. What does God have? He can rain down hail, He can cover the earth with locusts and grasshoppers, He can cause the sun to stand still, He can cause a lightning strike with pinpoint accuracy, He can speak through a donkey, He can lock the lions’ jaws shut, H can cause an earthquake thqt opens jail doors, He can send an angel who can slay 180,000 enemy soldiers in one night … and on and on and on.

Men are at best fickle. God is dependable. So, Who do we trust? Our trust and help is in the NAME OF THE LORD!!!

Ps. 56, 57 [The Message]

When I was beginning my cultivation of a morning devotional prayer life, I made a decision to get up early each morning and drive to the church to pray. I found that the routine of getting a shower, getting dressed and driving to the church (15 min. away) carried me beyond the too-easy-to-fall-asleep stage. It worked. Another thing I did to escape slumber was to walk and pray. When I dropped to my knees, my eyes would close and I was GONE.

Another technique I learned was from Ps 57:7, 8. I saw clearly how David dealt with the weakness in his flesh. He spoke to his soul to arouse it. His spirit embraced the principle and spoke to his soul which had control of his decision-making process and physical follow-through. This works for your spiritual transformation of any area of your life. Use God’s Word … Jesus said, “My Words, they are Spirit, they are life.” Take control of your soul and make strides in Christian maturity.

Here I am 48 years after I learned that principle. I don’t need the discipline to get up. I just WAKE UP! It’s a lifetime habit now.

PS. It occurs to me that this blog is an excellent opportunity to explain to my readers the hows and whys of my spiritual journey. While in the Psalms, I am so frequently stirred because I have lived my life in them.

i LOVE my family!

Ps. 55 [The Message]

“Evening, morning,and at noon will I cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.”

Early in my quest to cultivate a devotional life that pleased the Lord, I found this verse. These points are worth considering:

1. Three times a day was David’s goal
2. He prayed audibly
3. He prayed with the faith that God would hear him

Ps 52-54 [The Message]

In every competition there are at least two sides. It is good to know that God is on OUR SIDE.

If He was not, we would in effect be opposing Him.

My youngest brother took his life in 1993. This devastated my parents. I think it made my dad feel like a failure. Mom’s heart was broken. Suicides are extremely tough on parents. One of our former pastors was a counselor and psychology professor. He told me that my brother had thought he was in a struggle against God … and God always wins. Greg was obviously not aware that he could have had God on his side.

Ps. 124 If it had not been the Lord on our side …

Ps. 48-51 [The Message]

David’s restoration after committing adultery with Bathsheba is a pattern for getting right with God. We ask, “How can someone who wrote so many Psalms and was the apple of God’s eye stoop so low?” Well, he was made of the same mud that we are.

The just man falls seven times but gets back up again. [Pr. 24:16]

Yes, there is the Unpardonable Sin, but God can restore anyone who repents, comes clean, and accepts Christ’s forgiveness and cleansing by His Blood. In fact, it is usually people like David who go on to pull others out of the ditch.

 “Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.” [Ps. 51:13]

Ps. 46, 47 [The Message]

For nearly 30 years I was a church worship leader and choir director. I went to music school to be able to serve the music ministry in the local church. I knew that the music in many churches was spirited, heartfelt and lively, but I felt God deserved our best. I aimed at a level of excellence achievable by ordinary churches who wanted to give their best.

In looking back, I hope I wasn’t putting the cart before the horse in my pursuit. In reading Psalms such as #47, I see that God wants us to give it our all.

To this day, I am deeply moved by choirs who have a good choral sound.

We don’t worship the music or the technique – we worship God with our heartfelt sincerity and our best effort.

Give to the Lord the glory HE DESERVES! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. [1 Chron 16:29 NLT]

Ps. 44, 45 [The Messagee]

I have read and sung this Psalm for many years and never understood it in this manner. That’s one of the blessings of using a fresh paraphrase like “The Message.”

Marriage is an earthly relationship that teaches us about God’s love for us. It is also essential for procreation. (GOD LOVES CHILDREN!) For instance, husbands are instructed to love their wives AS Christ loves the Church. His love for us, The Church, is the pinnacle expression of love in action. He loved us so much that He GAVE HIMSELF for us. Love is giving. Jesus shows us what that looks like.

In Heaven, we will celebrate The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. God will put on a feast to outdo any other EVER. Fathers are happy when their children get married! They put on a nice, big feast.

Can’t wait!

Ps 43 [The Message]

Did you ever think about how your countenance affects people? We need a “Jesus Smile” on it. When God has been so good to us, a smile is a natural reaction to life. I’m not talking about a forced smile. I’m talking about a permanent smile that is there because of Christ on the inside of us.

Ps. 41, 42 [The Message]

Yesterday I had my yearly wellness check by my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Patrick Railey, I consider him an excellent physician and a strong Christian. His wife, Lisa, is on staff at Trinity Christian School and all three of his sons have graduated from TCS.

As the exam was concluding, I told him in my parting remarks what my life’s priorities are right now, and I told him that I find myself communing with the Lord over EVERYTHING. He exclaimed, “I do too.” He implied that his recently increased duties as Chief Medical Officer of Piedmont Newnan have stretched him. He said he relies heavily upon the Lord.

It seems the longer we know the Lord, the sweeter the fellowship is.